Patriotic cabbies can fly the flag for England that's the ruling from Hertsmere Borough Council after rumours spread through cab ranks that the council was going to ban the flag.

Several English councils have banned taxi drivers from flying the St George's Cross, to avoid upsetting ethnic minority communities.

Luckily Hertsmere has seen sense, and this week a spokesman said council officers could see nothing offensive about the English flag being flown on taxi cabs.

The issue was raised when cabbies contacted Labour Councillor Frank Ward, asking him to gain assurance that no ban would be imposed in Hertsmere.